FREE ENGLISH FULLTEXT: The analysis of the phenomenon of violence in psychiatric patients
Summary
Introduction. Domestic violence is a phenomenon stemming from various social issues. One of such issues, which arouses much interest, is the behavior of psychiatric patients using violence in their family. Aim. The aim of the following work was the analysis of the phenomenon of violence with reference to perpetrators – psychiatric patients from the Szczecin area in the years 2012-2013. In addition, the authors’ aim was also to indicate that the beliefs held by society on aggression of psychiatric patients are not confirmed by the actual state. Material and methods. The research was conducted with the research tool prepared on the basis of the “Blue Cards” – part A questionnaire. For data gathering, the document analysis method – survey – was used. 141 psychiatric patients constituted the research group. These people have already used violence against adults, and they already had the Blue Card. The members of the group were examined on the basis of several variables, such as sex, age, and the form of the violence used. Results. Men were the ones most frequently using violence, and with regard to the forms of violence, it was most often hitting and pushing. As far as psychic violence is concerned, most perpetrators admitted they used to humiliate, criticize and bother their victims. Regarding other types of behaviors among the psychiatric patients using violence, as many as 96 respondents admitted that they used punishable threats and insults, and 71 respondents admitted they destroyed and damaged property. Conclusions. On the basis of the conducted analysis, the authors claim that the obtained data do not confirm the common belief that psychiatric patients indicate an increased level of aggression.